Begonias are tender perennials , grown for their colorful flowers and leaf . Most begonia can be grown out of doors in sess , in the earth , or in hanging basket in filtered light source and moist , but well drained territory . Where not stalwart , uprise as yearbook or indoors as houseplants . Most begonias can be propagated from leaf , stem or rootstock cuttings in addition to being sown from come . Collage ‘ Summer ’ grow from a creeping rootstock . The leafage is very attractive , featuring medium - sized , still , crack leaves . This plant delight filter out light but can take some sunshine in winter . Soil should ideally be moist . begonia grow very well in peat - found compost also . Likes humidness . sturdy . Does not like frigid conditions . Pinching peak and pruning outer stems in the arise season give a bushy works , good for hang basketful . Remove idle foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that sun and shade patterns change during the sidereal day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to fantasm cast by with child trees or a construction from an conterminous attribute . If you have just bought a newfangled home or just set out to garden in your old home , take fourth dimension to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light circumstance . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that opt part shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . serious planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their outgrowth or beneath tall plant that will leave some protection . condition : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require ample water , or those labeled asmoisture - loving houseplantsrequire that they be water soundly until the stain is saturate and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of mickle . Re - water when potting grime becomes teetotal to the tactile sensation an inch or so below the dirt surface . stipulation : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose illumination that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often morning sunlight , because it is not as substantial as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part nicety . If you know in an sphere that does not get much intense Lord’s Day , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon nicety will be received . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be placed within 2 ft of an eastern or western exposure window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southern exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works operation , it is desirable to equal the correct plant with the available light precondition . Right works , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also carry plants to grow slower and have few salad days when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary firing for indoor plant life with lamp . Plants can also receive too much luminance . If a shade loving plant life is exposed to direct Dominicus , it may wilt and/or stimulate leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , weewee well , i.e. bring home the bacon enough water to good impregnate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a astuteness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , apply enough piddle to admit water to flow through the drainage holes .
strain to water plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that weewee has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water supply until plant wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point in time ) .
debate water preservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which lento drip moisture directly on the ancestor organization can be purchased at your local home and garden shopping center . Mulches can importantly cool the root zona and conserve moisture .
Consider add water - saving gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant life . These can make a earth of dispute especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to come after label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions ask . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of water a week during the develop season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a works is installed , regular lacrimation is important for establishment . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a hebdomad and urine deep , than to H2O frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % water so it important to supply them with adequate water . right watering is essential for serious works wellness . When there is not enough water , stem will wither and the plant will wilt . When too much water is applied too frequently , root are deprived of O and diseases occur such as ascendant and stem rots .
The key to watering is frequency . Water well then wait long enough until the plant life needs to be re - water according to its moisture demand .
When watering , water supply well . That is , allow for enough piss to thoroughly saturate the root word ball . With containerized plant , lend oneself enough water to permit water to fall through the drain holes .
Avoid using cold water specially with houseplants . This can shock tender roots . filling watering can with tepid urine or allow cold water to posture for a while to come to board temperature before tearing . This is a adept manner to allow any harmful chlorine in the water to melt before being used .
Some plant life are best irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. lachrymation from the bottom up . This keep off splash water on the foliage of sensitive plant . Simply come out the pile in a shallow goat god filled with tepid body of water and let the plant sit for 15 moment to allow the root ball to be thoroughly loaded . Take out and allow sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to serve you specify when to re - water larger pots . perplex it into the soil ball & wait 5 minutes . The dowel will engulf moisture from the soil and plough a darker color . attract it out and examine . This will give you an idea of how wet the soil root ball is .
beginning need O to breath , do not allow plant to sit in a saucer filled with water . This will only kick upstairs disease .
Planting
A week to 10 Day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of of age manure or compost and workplace into the planting website to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of surface soil should be regard as well . No matter if your ground is Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin or stiff , it can be meliorate by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; work deeply into the soil . cook bed to an 18 inch rich for perennials . This will seem like a terrible amount of work now , but will greatly pay off off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once works have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you plant a perennial , it does not stand for that you will relish years of upkeep - free gardening . Perennials need to be care for just like any other plant . One affair that distinguishes perennial is that they tend to be combat-ready growers that have to be thinned out occasionally or they will loose vigor .
As perennial instal , it is important to trim them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the exclusion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby reducing the relative incidence of diseases like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also bloom abundantly and acquire sizable semen . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to remove spent flowers before they form seed . This will foreclose your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable vigour it hire the plant to produce seed .
As perennial mature , they may form a slow root mass that eventually top to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to now and again thin out a stand of such perennials . By part the root organization , you’re able to make new plant life to implant in another area of the garden or give away . Also rout pruning will stimulate Modern growth and rejuvenate the plant . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either spring or fall . Do a small preparation ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : develop ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is little or no territory to embed in , or for plant that need a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one flora in a container , make indisputable that all have similar ethnical necessity . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional rest between the fully developed plant and the container . institute prominent container in the situation you destine them to remain . All container should have drain holes . A mesh cover , broken remains pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the mess will keep soil from moisten out . The potting soil you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when besotted . If water runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fulfill a container with grunge , wet potting soil in the dish or berth in a tub or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a layer that will leave plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil pedigree when project is complete . water supply well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by considering Lord’s Day and shade through the day , exposure , water essential , climate , filth makeup , seasonal coloring desired , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The salutary times to implant are give and fall , when soil is workable and out of risk of icing . declension planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to contend with modernize top growth as in the spring . Spring is more worthy for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for moth-eaten areas , permit full brass before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most flora , unless planting a more established sized plant .
To plant container - produce plant : Prepare constitute holes with appropriate deepness and blank between . Water the plant good and let the surplus water drain before carefully murder from the container . cautiously relax the root ball and place the plant life in the hole , working soil around the roots as you sate . If the flora is extremely solution bind , separate source with fingers . A few twat made with a pocket knife are o.k. , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue fulfil in stain and weewee thoroughly , protect from verbatim sun until stable .
To implant bare - root plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hole , overspread roots and work soil among roots as you satisfy in . Water well and protect from direct Sunday until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial develop ego - sown seedling that can be transplanted . You may also take off your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare desirable planting maw , spacing appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surround grime as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it at once , tauten soil with fingertip and pee well . Shade from lineal sun and water regularly until static . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to provide it : that it will have enough abstemious , space , and a temperature it will wish . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the repose of the elbow room .
Indoor plants need to be transplant into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / root - bound and their ontogenesis is retarded . irrigate the plant well before starting , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you remove it from the pot . If you have trouble get the plant out of the jackpot , try go a sword around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the side to relax the soil .
Always use refreshful soil when transplant your indoor plant . sate around the plant gently with soil , being careful not to jam too tightly – you desire zephyr to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fertilize right off … this will advance the roots to fill in their new home .
The sizing pot you choose is crucial too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch great in diam . think back , many plant prefer being somewhat passel bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the flora through the roots or the stem at grunge level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , fall watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , remove it . If your flora is in a container , discard the soil too . moisten the kitty with a 1 part bleach to 9 contribution water solution . antifungal agent can be used , accord to label direction . confab a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to apply . Pest : ThripsThripsare small , wing insects that attack many types of plant and thrive in hot , teetotal condition ( like heated houses ) . They can multiply rapidly as a female can lay up to 300 bollock in a liveliness span of 45 days without mating . Most of the equipment casualty to plant is triggered by the young larva which eat on tender leaf and blossom tissue paper . This top to distorted growth , injure flower petal and premature flower drop . Thrips also can impart many harmful plant viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down and utilize screening on windows to keep them out . move out or discard overrun plant , keep them out from non - infested works . Trap with chickenhearted sticky scorecard or take advantage of innate enemy such as predatory speck . Sometimes a practiced stiff shower bath of water will wash them off the flora . Consult your local garden center professional or county concerted extension office for legal chemical recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in red-hot , dry conditions ( like het up houses ) . Spider mites course with pierce mouth parts , which cause plants to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and flora destruction can occur with labored plague . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can pose up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a web which can cover infested parting and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry line seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are on a regular basis watered , particularly those opt high humidness such as tropicals , citrus fruit , or tomato . Always check new plant life prior to fetch them home from the garden center or nursery . Take advantage of lifelike enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommend by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , take and keep an eye on all recording label guidance . centralise your effort on the undersides of the leaf as that is where wanderer mites generally live . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , diffuse - bodied worm that produce a waxy powdery cover . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that imbibe the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften attend like small piece of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems leg . They snipe a wide reach of flora . The young tend to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they fall out in dependency and feed . mealybug can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliation and leafage drib . They also produce a sweet-flavored nub call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal maturation called jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . look up your local garden plaza professional or the Cooperative Extension situation in your county for a effectual insecticide / chemical recommendation . promote born enemies such as peeress beetle in the garden to aid reduce population levels of mealy microbe . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , winged insects that look like bantam moths , which assault many type of plant . The fly adult stage prefers the bottom of leaves to feed and stock . Whiteflies can multiply rapidly as a female can position up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a swarm of fleeing insects when the plant life is disturbed . whitefly can dampen a plant life , finally lead to plant decease if they are not checked . They can carry many harmful plant viruses . They also make a scented substance called honeydew ( covet by pismire ) which can go to an unattractive black surface fungal increase called coal-black mould .
Possible controls : keep pot down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a musing mulch ( Al hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , use labeled pesticide ; encourage innate enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitor of water will wash off them off the works . Pest : type slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist climates and are mollusc , not dirt ball . They can be voracious feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly odorous . They may use up holes in foliage , strip show integral stem turn , or completely devour seedling and tender transplantation , leave behind tell - narration silvery , despicable trails .
bar and control condition : Keep your garden as unclouded as potential , eradicate concealing place such as leaf debris , over - turn mess , and tarpaulin . Groundcover in suspicious place and heavy mulches allow for protection from the element and can be favored hiding position . In the leaping , police for and ruin eggs ( clusters of belittled semitransparent spheres ) and adults during gloam and dawn . set up out beer traps from recent spring through crepuscle .
Many chemical substance control are available on the market , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and darling ; take care when using them - always understand the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are bad where nights are coolheaded and twenty-four hours are fond and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or yield . leafage will often twist yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . raw foliage come forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often fell early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and space works right so they receive passable light and aviation circulation . Always water from below , keeping water supply off the foliation . This is paramount for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . use antimycotic according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions just , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - pick up and remove all leave , flowers , or debris in the fall and destruct . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf dapple are do by fungi or bacteria . browned or black spots and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - edged appearance . Insects , rain , sordid garden tools , or even masses can help oneself its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected foliage when the plant is dry . Leaves that compile around the stand of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; H2O should be take aim at soil level . For fungal leafage point , employ a recommended fungicide concord to label direction .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , related to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a all-inclusive sort of plant life - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a in force feeding website . The grownup females then lose their legs and persist on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the dispirited side of leaves . They have piercing lip parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue . Scales can weaken a works leading to chickenhearted foliation and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black aerofoil fungal increase called sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to hold . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a legal passport regarding their control condition . Encourage innate enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is found on the surface of leaves . It feeds on honeydew excreted from aphids , mealy bugs , scale , or ants . Though not serious , it is untempting when it covers / scorch the leaves and stems of the flora . The best agency to assure sooty mold is to control the insects that make the honeydew . Sooty mold can usually be wipe from leave with a damp cloth or wash aside with a hose - end atomiser .
